Two teams trying to break out of the middle of the NBA standings will meet on Wednesday as the Milwaukee Bucks host the San Antonio Spurs.
I'm offering you my best predictions for the Spurs vs. Bucks matchup to make sure you don't miss out when the game kicks off at Fiserv Forum Stadium in Milwaukee at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Even though the Bucks have lost two of their last three games, they are being given 5.5 odds to win.
How will Damian Lillard shoot against one of the league's best 3-point shooting defenses? And will Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul continue their great play at the start of the new year?
If you're looking for action to start the night, my predictions for the Thunder vs. Cavaliers NBA game is exactly what you need.
Spurs vs Bucks players prediction for today
Odds on a scale of 1 to 5 stars; odds are on the best NBA sites and are subject to change.
Damian Lillard Under 3.5 three-point shots (+120 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chris Paul Under 7.5 assists (+108 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Victor Vembanyama Over 36.5 points + rebounds (-120 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Check out our NBA player odds tool for the latest odds from the best legal sports bookmakers in your area.
Best predictions for Spurs vs Bucks from players
Damian Lillard under 3.5 three-point shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This total is set at Lillard's season average, as the Bucks' second-leading scorer makes 3.4 three-pointers per game. Because of this, the decision on whether to take the total higher or lower depends on the matchup and how Lillard plays.
Although Lillard made five three-pointers against the Toronto Raptors on Monday, the Raptors are missing the fifth most three-pointers per game.
Prior to that, Lillard had made fewer than four three-pointers in three of four games. And tonight's game won't be easy, as the Spurs are missing the eighth most three-pointers in the league. When it comes to opponents' three-point shooting percentage, the Spurs rank sixth.
In such a tough matchup, it's surprising that the price on Ander is so favorable. While DraftKings and FanDuel offer -104 or worse, some of our other top sports betting apps offer a price of +108 or better, but none can beat bet365's +120.
Best odds: +120 via bet365 | Estimated probability: 45.45%
Chris Paul has less than 7.5 assists ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Paul has given up at least eight assists three straight times and is averaging 9.3 assists per game in early January. Still, despite his hot start to the year and the fact that he's averaging 8.4 assists per game this season, I'm taking less than that.
Paul's last three appearances have been against two of the league's worst teams at preventing assists. Tonight, he faces a much tougher task: the Bucks rank sixth in the NBA in assists per game.
Paul has won tough games more than once this season, but the Bucks are scoring the eighth most points per game, so he'll simply have fewer opportunities.
Most of our top bookmakers are betting this total at 7.5, while FanDuel has it at 8.5. While this total is higher on FanDuel, the price for the lower total is -150, which is too expensive for one extra gear.
Best odds: +108 via Caesars | Estimated Odds: 48.08%.
Victor Vembanyama Over 36.5 points + rebounds ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Since the start of the new year, Vembanyama has been incredible on the floor. He is averaging 18.3 rebounds per game and has scored at least 14 points in all three of his January games. His total for tonight is set at 11.5, and while that may seem like an obvious oversight, the Bucks are a decent rebounding team.
While I still expect Uembanyama to rack up double-digit rebounds, I decided to get a little overconfident and bet on this combo prediction rather than his rebounding total. Uembanyama is averaging 25.6 points per game, and he has scored at least 20 points in five straight games. He has topped the 36.5 points + rebounds mark four times during that span.
FanDuel offers this total at odds of -120 for the over. While that price is worse than the -110 offered by bet365 and BetMGM for 37.5, the extra price is worth it for one less number.
Best odds: -120 via FanDuel | Estimated odds: 54.55%
Live odds and information on the Spurs vs Bucks matchup
When: Wednesday, Jan. 8
Start: 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Fisver Forum (Milwaukee)
How to watch: ESPN
Favorite: Bucks -5.5 (-110 via BetMGM)
